Tag Archives: Volunteers

Give a Little, Help a Lot: Be a 3-Day Volunteer

Next week (April 10-16), we recognize National Volunteer Week. The Susan G. Komen 3-Day is a bold, ambitious, large-scale event series that simply would not be possible without the time and talent of thousands of amazing volunteers. We do a lot to thank and praise our all-volunteer 3-Day Crew, but today, we’d like to tell you a little bit about the other behind-the-scenes heroes of the 3-Day: our day volunteers.2015_3DAY_ATLsun_EDB (462)

Crew or Volunteer: What’s the Difference? – Crew members are 3-Day participants who register for the event months in advance and make a commitment to volunteer for the duration of the 3-Day event weekend (Thursday through Sunday). Crew members are assigned to a specific job far in advance of the 3-Day, and that is their job for the entire event. Volunteers (whom we refer to as “day volunteers”) are folks whose hearts burst with the same spirit of helpfulness that crew members have, but may not have as much time to give. Volunteers typically sign on for shifts that are a few hours at a time.2015_3DAY_ATLsun_EDB (450)

Easily spotted in their purple shirts, 3-Day volunteers are a special kind of awesome. They show up to help, sometimes not even knowing what that might entail, and then give their time, energy and enthusiasm to creating 3-Day magic. Often, these are folks who, for months, have been supporting friends or family members as they raised money and trained for 3-Day, but they still come out and continue to give. Smiles and high fives from 3-Day volunteers have the special power to make a walker’s day while also bringing complete joy to the volunteer too! We can’t say thank you enough to these wonderful workers, and we’re always happy about welcoming new volunteers into the 3-Day family. 2014_3DAY_DFW_JF_1345

There are all kinds of opportunities for people to be part of the 3-Day as day volunteers.

Before the Event – Even months before any walkers step out on to their 60-mile 3-Day route, volunteers (many of whom will be walkers or crew members when the 3-Day rolls around) are part of the 3-Day’s outreach efforts, spreading the word and getting people excited about the 3-Day coming to their towns. This type of community outreach might include attending informative meet-ups with the 3-Day coaches, sharing information about the 3-Day at other community race expos (such as the Komen Race for the Cure®), or being part of the “street team,” which has the exciting job of canvassing neighborhoods a few weeks before the 3-Day to let the locals know that a parade of pink will soon be passing through, and encourage them to decorate, cheer and support.

On-Event Volunteers – While many of the on-event jobs are taken care of by crew members, the 3-Day still has tasks that need to doing. Day volunteers to the rescue! If you have a few hours that you can give on one or more of the 3-Day’s event days, you can help out with:

  • Cheering Stations – One of the most fun and inspiring ways you can volunteer your time is at a cheering station along the route. This is especially great if you have a group that wants to volunteer.2015_3DAY_SDsun_EDB (224)
  • Campsite Operations – Some jobs in and around the 3-Day camp can use extra hands from time to time, including traffic control, food service, trash pick-up, help with putting up sleeping tents, and more.
  • Participant Finish Area – This area is located at the end of the route on Day 3, and volunteers here help with a number of jobs before the Closing Ceremony, including handing out snacks and water to walkers at the finish, Victory t-shirt distribution, traffic management and gear retrieval, to name a few.2014_3DAY_ATL_JF_1167
  • Specialized Jobs – If you are a medical professional (doctor, physician assistant, RN, physical therapist or paramedic/EMT) or an ASL interpreter, the 3-Day would love your help!

Kids Welcome! – Many of the 3-Day’s day volunteer opportunities are open to kids aged 10 or older (with adult supervision).2015_3DAY_SDsun_EDB (248)

Groups = Great! – Are you part of a group that’s looking for volunteer opportunities? Consider the 3-Day! We welcome charity organizations, scout groups, high school or college clubs and teams, workplace groups and church groups to fill special roles.2015_3DAY_DFWsun_EDB (739)

Learn More! – Volunteers interested in these opportunities should reach out to the 3-Day coaches at 800-996-3DAY or coaches@The3Day.org for more information. You can also visit The3Day.org/Volunteer to view and sign up for volunteer opportunities that are already open, and can subscribe to the Volunteer Bulletin, an email newsletter that will alert you of new openings. And don’t forget to Like the 3-Day Coaches on Facebook too!

Introducing the ABC’s of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® Crew

Every year, the Komen 3-Day Crew puts up tents, picks up trash, hangs route signage, sets up pit stops, cheers on tired walkers, soothes stinging blisters, serves hot meals and much, much more. Being a part of the 3-Day® Crew means giving up your time in selfless service to help end breast cancer. Whether you’re a ten-time crew member, brand new to the Crew or an interested participant, we wanted to share the ABC’s of the 3-Day Crew – 26 Crew-related people, places and things you’ll encounter on the 3-Day. We invite you to share ideas for each letter here or on Facebook, and to share these images with your family and friends. (To see the 3-Day walker version of the ABC’s, click here!)

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk crew blog ABCs all crew kick-offOn the Thursday before every 3-Day event, all crew members get together to prepare for an amazing 3 days. The All-Crew Kick-Off is a chance to reunite with crew friends from past events and meet the newest members of our crew community. There’s music, games and other activities to build camaraderie and the 3-Day spirit. Crew members also learn how to set up event tents and canopies, use a walkie-talkie and maybe even drive a big truck. Attendance at the All-Crew Kick-Off is required for all crew members.

See Also: (Route Marking) Arrows

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk crew blog ABCs bus liaisonSometimes walkers have to call it quits for the day and be transported back to camp, and often, this decision is an emotional one. Thank goodness for the sensitive and supportive Bus Liaison crew team. These folks are there to lift walkers’ spirits and keep them company while in transit.

See also: Blisters

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk crew blog ABCs The 3-Day simply would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of the all-volunteer Crew. Crew members and volunteers work throughout the entire 3-Day experience, serving as the backbone of the event, bringing it to life and becoming the support system for the walkers every step of the way. You can read descriptions of the different types of crew members here (or in playful poetic form here).

See also: Cheering Stations, Camp Logistics, Camp Services

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk crew blog ABCs dancingBeing part of the 3-Day Crew is a lot of work, but that doesn’t mean there’s no play! What’s a great way to encourage and motivate tired walkers to keep going? Dancing! You’ll see many of our spirited crew members groovin’ and movin’ along the route, at stops and at camp, with tunes or without. Join them and put an extra spring in your step!

See also: Driver

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk crew blog ABCs event supportEvent Support is a special team of crew members with three or more years of experience on the 3-Day Crew who are ready to step in wherever needed. They are essentially jacks-of-all-trades, lending pit stop support, assisting with Ceremonies, helping to manage bus transport, assisting with a relocation and serving as extra route safety.

See also: Experience of a lifetime (Walker, Crew, or Volunteer: you’ll have it on the 3-Day!)

 

What other Crew terms can you think of for letters A,B,C,D and E? How about for letters F,G,H,I and J? Stay tuned for Part 2 of the ABC’s of the 3-Day Crew next week!

The ABC’s of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, Part 6

Welcome to part six of the ABC’s of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®. This special alphabet is made up of 26 people, places or things you’ll encounter on the Komen 3-Day. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out Part 1 (Letters A – D), Part 2 (Letters E – H), Part 3 (Letters I – L), Part 4 (Letters M – P), Part 5 (Letters Q-T) and don’t forget to share your ideas for each letter here on the 3-Day blog or with us on Facebook. You can also help us spread the word about the 3-Day® by pinning these images on Pinterest. The more people who learn about the 3-Day, the more we can make a difference in the fight to end breast cancer forever.

United Susan G Komen 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk
We are all united in the fight against breast cancer. Walking the Susan G. Komen 3-Day is one of the boldest things you will ever do, and we’re thrilled to support you every step of the way.

 

SGK_3-Day_SocialMedia_VisforVolunteer
Every year, the Susan G. Komen 3-Day volunteers and crew members check-in walkers, put up tents, pick up trash, hang route signage, set up pit stops, cheer on tired walkers and much, much more. We’re always amazed by our volunteers’ spirit and endurance. Visit this link to find out how you can be a part of volunteering on the 3-Day.

See Also: Val Skinner Foundation , Victory Shirt

Susan G Komen 3 Day Breast Cancer Walkers Walk

Without walkers, there would be no 3-Day. Every year, thousands of people show their support and dedication by fundraising and training to walk 60 amazing miles.

See Also: Workshop , Waist pack, Water Bottle, Widget , Walker Stalker

 

Do you have any other ideas for letters U, V, and W? How about for the last three letters: X, Y, and Z? We can’t wait to see what ideas you have! Share them with us in the comments or on Facebook or Twitter.